An Amazing Sharpener!

Where does time go? Ack! It's been so long since I blogged and I have so much to blog about...
First and foremost, I have had the privilege of using this incredible Classroom Friendly Supplies sharpener in my classroom:

The kids use it daily and they love it. I also have an electric sharpener, but this little beauty gets used more, does a better job, and is preferred by everyone. (no exaggeration..I even have eighth graders coming down to my grade 3 classroom to use the "fancy" sharpener).

I completely and totally recommend it and will be purchasing a second one for my class. Good-bye electric sharpener!

When I asked the kids to review our user-friendly gadget this is what they said:

"It does a way better job than the other one, Mrs. Kelly"~ Beth

"My mom needs one of these!She's always yelling at her pencils because they break all the time." ~ Abbi

"Wow! My pencil is so sharp. I didn't know that pencils could be so pointy." ~ Logan

"The old sharpener was so noisy it gave me a headache. You can't even hear this one." ~ Michaela

At just $24.99 these sharpeners offer a lot of bang for your buck. Compared to my $60 Xacto electric sharpener this won wins hands down! The icing on my sharpener cake? I always have a bin of sharp pencils since it has become a much coveted classroom job...

Click the picture above to go to a link so that you, too, can purchase this fantastic sharpener!

Instead of Housework...

I looked at my dishes yesterday (and when I say my dishes I mean the teens' dishes) and decided it would be way more fun to make something for school.
I used the printable pages from National Geo for Kids to make a information-type colouring book in ppt. It took a really, really long time. So, if anyone would like to snag a copy I am very happy to share (just click on the picture)!
 I am thinking that I will print the pages (there are 21 in all) in booklet format and give one booklet to each child with the heart crayon ( I still haven't made but totally plan to...) as a Welcome Back gift. There are actually 20 more pages, but Google Drive kept yelling at me (the file was too big), so here is the first half. If you're a follower, and would like the second half, let me know in the comments section below.

I also printed all my bb headers onto cardstock (there were a lot of dishes to ignore) and started assembling the Author Study folders I am making thanks to the freebie that Amanda at Teaching Maddeness has created. If you haven't already checked out her blog, I recommend it 110%. My gosh, it's wonderful! Click the picture to go to Amanda's page.

My big plan for the weekend is to go into the school tomorrow and start to get it organized and ready for the kids. I am bringing the hubster as I will need his muscles to move some shelves around.
Time to get crackin'! Luckily, I waited long enough yesterday for the teens' to get up and do the dishes..Now onto bigger and better things..Organizing the upstairs closet!!! Or more blog stalking/pinning/creating...
Hmmmmm

Anyone Else Starting to Feel a Little OVERWHELMED?

Absolutely true! I have been working on and thinking about the upcoming school year for weeks. I really truly love my job..not an epiphany but a fact. However, I always find that by this time in the summer, with only a week until school starts, I begin to panic. A little. On the inside. 

I have started making lists of things that need to be done, and they are getting longer and crazier. It's time to take a deep breath and relax. But, as soon as I do that I am back to thinking about everything I need to do..and feeling guilty about all the things I should have done this summer..it's a vicious cycle.

My current obsession is about Home Reading. Every year, I have had a HR program. Which is fine and dandy BUT every year I taught mainly (90%) grade 2s. This year, I will be teaching mainly (95%) grade 3s. To make things a little more complicated, I am teaching 15/20 of the same kids. I feel like I should change things up. So, HELP! 

Any ideas or resources about HR in upper primary? I'd love input. Right now, I am considering a monthly calendar type idea, but most of my kids are independent readers so the log/program has to be kid-friendly.

I'd appreciate any ideas you have...Also, what do you do to de-stress? I used to garden (I love flowers) but even that seems daunting right now...

Genre Posters...Chevron

I have spent the last while looking for genre posters. I couldn't find ones that fit my "theme-ish"
classroom idea so I made my own. I used free chevron backgrounds in blue, green and purple (blue=fiction,
green=nonfictin, purple=poetry) and images of books as the examples. I used Beth Newingham's posters as inspiration, and the dictionary for the definitions of some of the genres.
I also included Author's Purpose on each poster. I then created labels for my books so that kids can easily tell what genre they are reading. All of this is for the "20 BOOK CHALLENGE" that I intend to do with
my third graders this year. Yes, it is based on "The Book Whisperer" by Donalyn Miller-although hers is a 40 book challenge. I am hoping to do 2 twenty book challenges instead of 1 forty book. This way, my kids won't get overwhelmed. I also expect all readers to complete the challenge, as I have books in each genre at all reading levels available to the kids.
I tossed around whether to use the challenge in IR or take home reading. I opted for IR, as it will be easier to monitor and conference with each student.
SO, here are my little creations. Click on the picture to download from Google Drive...

Reading Log

12 Genre Posters

We go back to school in ten days...is anyone else starting to feel a little overwhelmed? Baby steps to the escalator...(which is a quote from a movie I watched but can't remember the title of)...

ps For some reason, the pictures on the reading log uploaded all weird to Google Drive. If you'd like a copy of the Book Challenge emailed to you, let me know in the comments section. 

Took-Me-Forever B2S Flippy Book...PLUS Template

Well, it took me hours (days) but I finally succeeded in making my very own flippy book for back to school. Each year, I try to do something different, as I am very cognizant of the fact that I teach many kids from the same family or many kids for two grades. I don't want to be the teacher who uses the exact same go-to's every year so that parents come in to Meet the Teacher and hand over worksheets that both their kids complete...4 years separately. (Yup, that happened to a teacher I know...)

So, here is what I did.
I used free fonts (KG fonts, Hello fonts, Primarily fonts) and borders from tpt and some cute clipart that was either in ppt already or I had on my computer. That was the easy part.
I decided that I only wanted to have 5 topics in my flippy book: welcome, communication, math, literacy, and general info. The sixth page would be the title page with my name etc.
Then I had to decide which topics required the most information. For example, literacy had more components than communication so it is near the end of the flippy book as the page is longer.
Then, I "guessed" the size of the boxes of text and printed out the papers, glued them back to back and folded them up. This, was BY FAR the most frustrating and time consuming part. BY. FAR.
Okay-so finally everything lined up and was good to go.
I typed my info into the boxes, using a different font for each.
I printed the file.
**I glued the papers together..CONFUSING BUT MUST READ...the flippy books have to be glued or photocopied in a certain way. The title page is glued to the last page (6) upside down...so, you end up with the title box on one side and the general info on the back but on the bottom...REPEAT for every page...that means that page 2 and page 5 go together and page 3 and page 4 go together.
I strongly recommend folding them at this point and jiggying things around if you need to.

My plan is to use 3 colours of bright paper to p/c the pages onto (for 6 pages of flippy book you only need 3 pages), staple and send home for parents. I am trying to decide whether to put a little magnet on the back so that my family's can hang them on the fridge.

So, here is the finished product:

FLIPPY BOOK...pdf version...my fonts, pictures, etc...

will have to add your own text and cut & paste it in...

ppt version-some of the titles are cut off...

you'll have to add your own/jiggy the fonts around...can type right onto page..

 I have uploaded a copy of my ppt flippy book so that you can edit it and add in your own information if you'd like to use it. Just click on either picture :)  Or the pdf version with my fonts etc.

What do you send home for parents at the beginning of the year?

 

My Memory Book Creation

I've done a Memory Book with each of my classes for the last few years. Each time it's been

a different format..I've been trying to find my groove, I guess :)

So, this summer, I took the plunge and designed my own lil' book. It includes each

month of the year, a faves page, title page, autograph page, photo booth page, my goals, and I heart page.

For every month I included a picture prompt because I found that my kids had difficulty

thinking of something to draw. I've also included a shorter line in the writing part so that kids will

remember a title at the top of their writing. I am pretty excited about how this turned out!

I bought 1 inch binder rings from Amazon for $5 for 50. I use the rings

to bind together the books as I've found that it's the easiest/most

effective way of binding them. I also like to add special artwork, reading

responses, journal entries to the memory books so they end up

getting pretty thick. I have the kids glue the month to one side of construction paper

and we put something that we did in class on the other side. Then, I laminate the pages.

All work is kept in a file folder until the end of the year. Click on either picture for this document!

Please leave a comment if you do happen to download it...and any suggestions or questions.

B2S Treat Idea

Wellllll...maybe not a treat so much as a little gift for the kids...

Like everyone else, I have a tub of broken, dull crayons that seem

to grow each year. (you know; the ones that we pick up off the floor,

rescue from noses, stop from being eaten all year long). What to do with them??

This year, I've decided to try making these:

using the IKEA silicone ice cube heart trays I bought.

I have Googled and Pinterested (sp?) and, according to some very

adventurous bloggers, if I keep the heat at 220 or less, the trays WON'T

melt but the crayons will...worth a try!

So, here is my plan. I am going to make a multi-coloured crayon

for each child with a little colouring book. My "thing" is I {heart} t-shirts, of which I

have collected quite an assortment, so I made the cover of the

book in this theme. I plan on putting the book, crayon and magnet with

my information in a little bag for b2s in September.

Honestly, I've been doing little bags for the kids each year since 

I started teaching grade 2/3, but didn't think the kids really noticed.

Then, this June I had a parent approach me to tell me that her daughter 

(who I taught 4 years ago) still has the little gift I gave her at the

beginning of her grade 2! Wowza! So, I'll continue the tradition...

[this is the little colouring booklet I made] 

I should add that every year I do something different so that the kids

who I have taught already have something special and

the kids who have a sibling that I taught

have something brand new.

Do you have a B2S tradition that you do for your class? I'd love to 

hear about it if you do!

ps I will let you know how the crayons turn out!

 

Currently August

I am linking up with Farley for August's CURRENTLY linky party. 

This month, there are a few things that participants are asked to do...

which I think is a marvelous idea! 

I will be commenting on the two link-ups before mine and the one

after. Fun times! It's pretty exciting to realize that someone

will be commenting on my contribution, and I can't wait

to read/comment on others'.

Pretty self-explanatory but I'd like to highlight a couple of my points:

I have started watching lots of BBC tv series over the past few months.

Downton Abbey, Sherlock, Upstairs Downstairs, Luther

and now Call the Midwife. If you haven't watched it yet, I recommend 

trying it out. (**warning-it makes males squeamish). The series takes place in East London 

in the 1950s. Itfollows a group of midwives as they help deliver babies in one

of the poorest regions of London. It's funny, dramatic, heartwarming

and suspenseful. 

My husband bought me a Samsung Galaxy tablet and I am in love; 

especially with the Kindle app. Reading is my passion, and my 

favourite genre is mystery/suspense. Recently, I've discovered 

The Hangman's Daughter series and have been flying through

them ever since.

Back-2-school- eeeekkkk...

{click on the pictures to go to websites}

1. I have a Smartboard in my classroom. Our school was actually

one of the first to get them in our school board. I do love the EXPO

chalkboard markers, though. I use them on my one

remaining chalkboard. They are lovely, bright and colourful. Added bonus=

they last a loooooong time.

2. To the chagrin/horror of my teen daughters, I LOVE cords. They're comfy,

versatile and downright snazzy. This fall, I'd like to buy a few new pairs

(seems like my others are 2-3 years old). May have to hide

them in the bottom of my basket, though, if I go shopping with

the teens for b2s.

3. My third B2shool must have is Jen Ross' Spelling Throughout the Year unit for 

third grade. I am really excited about this unit and how much

time and creativity Jen has put into the pack. She has even included a blog

post about how she organizes the weekly work! Awesomesauce!

Whew!! Lots of typing. Thanks for sticking by to the end.

Don't forget to link up!

ps. If you have any favourite television dramas you'd like to recommend, please

let me know. I'm almost all out! 

Inspiring is an UNDERSTATEMENT!!

Today I "found" this truly amazing blog...

and I've been reading it all morning. If you haven't perused it yet,

I totally recommend that you do asap.

Yes, it is that awesomesauce.

I love so many things about my new obsession. For starters,

it is a conglomeration of a whole bunch of

fantastic bloggers who teach grades two and three. 

Next, each teacher blogger has included a bit about herself (no

himselves yet) and their life. Lastly, 

the freebies that are shared are inspiring, creative, and

exciting...Yes, exciting...I have drank three

coffees, kicked back and ENJOYED learning about each blogger on 

Owl-Ways Be Inspired.

Have you checked it out yet?

 

Monday Made It...on Tuesday

I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It...on Tuesday.

If I knew how, I'd add one of those

cute little embarrassed emoticons...

Is it still a freebie if I don't sell stuff? Anyway, here is a little pennant that I have made for 

back to school...I plan on 

having the kids each finish one and then I'll hang 

them/string them on our hallway bulletin board. I am
sincerely hoping that they are done in time for Meet the Teacher.

I've also been working on pennants/banners/bunting in a green, blue, purple

colour scheme to use as headings for my bulletin boards. The letters are on chevron

backgrounds and I've included polka dots for fillers.

I don't go back to school for 5 more incredibly lazy weeks. When do you head back?

  

Where Did July Go & Pennants...Buntings...

Ummmm...where did July go? It's been a hectic month, but wowzers it went by FAST. As I was watching Season 2 of Call the Midwife (great/fantastic/superb show), I made these pennants/buntings/flags for my classroom.
I plan on printing them on cardstock (Michael's has oodles of different patterns), laminating them and using them along the top of my bulletin boards.
I have made Math, Reading, Writing, Calendar and Numbers...I also made one of a larger size for my strength wall called Our Strengths.
I used the font October heat from First Grade News and the free clip art Five Little Owls from The 3am Teacher.

I am hoping that by adding a light colour behind the letters, when the pennants print the letters will stand out. Time will tell! Well, time and waiting for my cyan cartridge so I can try them out...

Class Store Changed My Life

Okay-a bit of an exaggeration but a catchy title.
My bff teaches grade 4/5. Since I can remember (even before she moved to junior) she has had "Class Store." Honestly, I thought that she was nutso...so much work and chaos. However, this year I decided to follow her example and try it out with my second graders...it.was.awesomesauce.
Yes, it's a lot of work to set up. Yes, it is chaotic on Kelly-Mart day. Yes, some minor problems are going to occur. BUT the advantage of this activity far outweighs anything else.
I had mulled over doing store for quite some time so had compiled a bin (rubbermaid tote) of stuff to sell. This included everything from jelly bracelets to t-shirts (bought on clearance). After each holiday, I bought a couple clearance items. I also purchased the end of the year leftover kit from Scholastic...wowzers...for forty dollars you get A LOT of stuff.
We made duct tape wallets to keep the coins that were earned in.
As a class, we talked about what sorts of activities earned money. One rule, for example, was that a student couldn't do something kind and then ask for a quarter...that kind of thing. Mostly, money was earned for following class expectations (ie good listening at carpet time, looking after your cubby, participating, random acts of kindness). I was careful to make sure that by the end of each week everyone had earned something...sometimes this wasn't easy but I persevered :)
On Wednesdays, kids had a chance to count their earnings and "trade up." They had to be able to do this on their own. Some kids used hundreds charts, number lines, calculators, manipulatives to figure out how much money they had earned. It was very cool.
On Friday after lunch, Kelly-Mart opened for business. It was 20 minutes of happy chaos and the kids loved it.
I stored all store items in small baskets and then put the small baskets in a large, clear tote. This was then stored at school in our resource room...which I had asked permission to do ahead of time.
Class Store lasted for 6 weeks. I will be doing it again, however. It was a lot of work to set up but the results were worth it 110%.

I ran the cash register (took me back to my teens when I worked as a cashier) and kids had to have the exact money ready for me when they got to the till. I also asked kids what their change should be if they had some coming.

One of the hot ticket items at Kelly-Mart were the Incentive Coupons...**WARNING*** Lunch with the Teacher is very, very popular...

{click picture for freebie}

I downloaded this freebie from First Grade Fever, (awesomesauce blog btw) printed it out, put the printed pages into sheet protectors and VOILA an extremely popular/easy peasy prize is born.

I also like the way that There's No Place Like Second Grade has organized her coupons using a craft box. She also offers her incentives as a freebie... I may have to switch things up for next year...

{click picture for freebie}

As I've mentioned, I WILL be having Kelly-Mart again next school year. I am looping with my class so will be teaching grade 3 instead of 2, but Class Store is one of the things that both parents and students requested we do again. Time to get stocking up on incentives ;)

Does anyone else have a Class Store? How do you manage it?